Wanda’s Café & Bakery
Nehalem, OR*
$1.50
Something told me that the very minute I declared that I’ve never experienced a good bakery in any beach town that I would experience a good bakery in a beach town. Which is, in fact, what happened. Like, the very next day after I wrote it.
It was as if I were daring a good cookie to come my way. And check it out…it did! People, this is a good cookie. I would go a few miles out of my way (on foot, even) for this cookie. If you find yourself driving on US 101 anywhere near Manzanita and Nehalem, Oregon (and you fancy a hearty morsel of chewy oats), you should, too.
I will tell you why:
• It is chewy, verging on sticky (but not in a bad way), achieving a candy-like texture.
• The dominant flavor is maple as opposed to brown sugar. Not that I don’t love brown sugar (I fucking LOVE brown sugar), but the maple is a nice twist and I’m guessing is what makes it so moist.
• If you’re a member of the raisin-hating army, you will be pleased to know that you will not find a single trace of the dried grape here. For the record, I am not a raisin-hater, but again, a variation on the norm keeps Cookie Time fresh and new. So I can absolutely support a raisin-free oatmeal cookie now and again.
• Pecans (the superior cookie nut, IMO – tied with almonds). They are toasted and full-flavored.
• Like I said, it is super oaty. The photos say it all.
BTW: Nehalem is about 2 blocks long, so you can’t miss Wanda’s even if you try. Just look for the sign in that photo above.
*Can also be found, along with several other varieties** of Wanda’s cookies, at Manzanita News and Espresso.
** ginger molasses (also amazing. What? You think I was going to taste only ONE cookie during my five day stay in this town?), snickerdoodle (didn’t taste. S-doodles = yawn), oatmeal chocolate chip (fine, not remarkable), chocolate chip (didn’t taste), peanut butter (I think. Not sure…pb cookies are like wallpaper to me), and a variety of bar cookies (lemon bars, brownies, fruit crumble bars, etc.).
Jo, this tidbit made me frustrated, considering I was at the coast a week ago. Note: My friend Dave Oarker has been wanting to take me to Wanda’s for years as well. Were is my unlimited cookie eating vacation time? I enjoyed the review, the cookie sounds tasty.
Monica – an unfortunate wasted cookie-eating opportunity, for sure. Just remember to go next time you’re there!
They’re not crispy the way you like ’em, but the maple-y goodness should make up for that. Shoot, I want one now!